Golden Purslane
Portulaca oleracea sativafam. Caryophyllaceae
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Pl. 52D7 — Portulaca oleracea sativa
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IOverview
Overview
Golden Purslane (Portulaca oleracea sativa), a member of the Caryophyllaceae family, is an annual forb or herb known for its edible and medicinal properties. Native to regions including Afghanistan, Albania, and Algeria, this plant thrives in light to medium soil with a pH of 7 to 7.5. Its light, airy habit, growing up to 0.3 meters tall, and preference for moist conditions and sandy or medium soils make it a versatile addition to gardens. The leaves and seeds of Golden Purslane are commonly consumed, while its documented uses in traditional medicine highlight its medicinal value. This plant's adaptability and rapid growth make it suitable for borders or containers to control its spread. While its uses are beneficial, caution should be exercised when using it medicinally, as individual responses can vary.
Quick answers
What is Golden Purslane?
Golden Purslane (Portulaca oleracea sativa), a member of the Caryophyllaceae family, is an annual forb or herb known for its edible and medicinal properties. Native to regions including Afghanistan, Albania, and Algeria, this plant thrives in light to medium soil with a pH of 7 to 7.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Evening Calm
sleeptea
Traditional bedtime infusion.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Golden Purslane thrives in light to moderate sunlight and prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 7 and 7.5. It is adaptable to light (sandy) and medium soil types but requires consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. As an annual plant, it should be sown directly into the garden bed or started indoors for transplanting. Harvest leaves and seeds as needed throughout the growing period. This plant is hardy in temperate regions and can spread quickly, making it suitable for borders or containers to control its growth.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Golden Purslane for the first time
8steps
Golden Purslane is a low-maintenance plant perfect for beginners.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds, small pots or garden space, potting soil.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, or start seeds indoors a month before planting outdoors.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH of 7–7.5. Ensure containers have drainage holes if using pots.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Start seeds indoors, then transplant seedlings outdoors when they are about 2 inches tall. Alternatively, sow directly in the garden after danger of frost passes.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Place in a sunny spot, as it thrives in full sun.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Remove any weeds that compete for nutrients and space.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Pinch back stems to encourage bushy growth and prevent legginess. Harvest leaves as needed, but avoid cutting too much at once.
- 8
Common mistakes
...
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesSeed
Edible uses: Salt
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
61 native · 236 introduced
Distribution
61 native · 236 introducedDistribution across5 continents· 61 native· 236 introduced
Europe26 regions
native (6)AlbaniaGreeceItalyPortugalRussiaSpain
introduced (20)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyHungaryItalyNetherlandsPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia28 regions
native (10)AfghanistanIranIraqKuwaitOmanPakistanPalestineSaudi ArabiaTurkeyYemen
introduced (18)BangladeshCambodiaChinaGeorgiaIndiaJapanKazakhstanLaosMaldivesMyanmarNepalPhilippinesSouth KoreaSri LankaTaiwanTurkmenistanUzbekistanVietnam
Americas20 regions
introduced (20)BahamasBelizeBoliviaColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicEcuadorEl SalvadorFrench GuianaGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiHondurasNicaraguaParaguayPuerto RicoSurinameUruguayVenezuela
Africa40 regions
native (28)AlgeriaAngolaBeninBurkina FasoBurundiCameroonChadCôte d'IvoireEgyptEritreaEthiopiaGabonGambiaGuineaGuinea-BissauKenyaLiberiaMaliMauritaniaMoroccoNigerNigeriaSenegalSeychellesSierra LeoneSomaliaSudanTunisia
introduced (12)BotswanaCabo VerdeDjiboutiEswatiniLesothoMalawiMauritiusMozambiqueNamibiaRwandaZambiaZimbabwe
Oceania7 regions
introduced (7)FijiNauruNew CaledoniaSamoaTongaTuvaluVanuatu
Broader regions
native:Aldabra, Ascension, Central African Repu, Chagos Archipelago, Congo, Gulf of Guinea Is., Gulf States, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Sinai, Socotra, St.Helena, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, Yugoslavia, Zaïre
introduced:Alabama, Alberta, Altay, Amur, Andaman Is., Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, Aruba, Bermuda, Borneo, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, British Columbia, California, Cape Provinces, Cayman Is., Central American Pac, Chile Central, Chile North, Chile South, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Colorado, Connecticut, Cook Is., Czechoslovakia, Delaware, Desventurados Is., District of Columbia, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Easter Is., Florida, Free State, Galápagos, Hainan, Howland-Baker Is., Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Jawa, Juan Fernández Is., Kamchatka, Kansas, Kazan-retto, Kentucky, Kirgizstan, KwaZulu-Natal, Laccadive Is., Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Line Is., Louisiana, Maine, Malaya, Maluku, Manitoba, Marquesas, Maryland, Masachusettes, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Mozambique Channel I, Nansei-shoto, Nebraska, Netherlands Antilles, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Guinea, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, Nicobar Is., Niue, Norfolk Is., North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Provinces, Nova Scotia, Ogasawara-shoto, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Panamá, Pennsylvania, Phoenix Is., Pitcairn Is., Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Queensland, Réunion, Rhode I., Rodrigues, Saskatchewan, Society Is., Solomon Is., South Carolina, South China Sea, South Dakota, Southwest Caribbean, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Tadzhikistan, Tasmania, Tennessee, Texas, Tokelau-Manihiki, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Turks-Caicos Is., Utah, Venezuelan Antilles, Vermont, Virginia, Wallis-Futuna Is., Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Western Australia, Windward Is., Wisconsin, Wyoming
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Caryophyllaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Caryophyllaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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